Neuropathology is a small field?

[Enkidu]

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I'm a third-year MD/PhD student interested in neuropathology. I'm a little concerned that if I go into neuropathology I may not find a job, since there seems to be only two neuropathologists at my academic medical center, which is not a small place.

If that is indicative of the number of positions on average, then I don't see how anyone gets a job. Granted, I am interested in a traditional 80% research career, and both of our neuropathologists are only signing out cases, but I'm a little concerned that I could end up with no job offers.

I have a good step I score (250) and I think I can be competitive for top residency programs, but I'm not sure if I want to pursue a field that may simply be too small for me to have a career, regardless of my qualifications.

 

[pathstudent]

I'm a third-year MD/PhD student interested in neuropathology. I'm a little concerned that if I go into neuropathology I may not find a job, since there seems to be only two neuropathologists at my academic medical center, which is not a small place.

If that is indicative of the number of positions on average, then I don't see how anyone gets a job. Granted, I am interested in a traditional 80% research career, and both of our neuropathologists are only signing out cases, but I'm a little concerned that I could end up with no job offers.

I have a good step I score (250) and I think I can be competitive for top residency programs, but I'm not sure if I want to pursue a field that may simply be too small for me to have a career, regardless of my qualifications.

Well in any area of academics there are usually only a few jobs available at a time. A lot of it has to do with being at the right place at the right time, but you will easily get a good job somewhere if you go to a strong program and work with some well known people. Eventually you can get to where you want to be,

 

[KCShaw]

Yes, it is a relatively small subspecialty field. The majority of the neuropathologists I know who are not also in forensic pathology, sign general surg path cases as well as neuropath. Even some of the big names at the big institutions do so. You need to know you enjoy pathology in general, IMO, before setting down a trail that ends only in academic neuropathology... a lot can happen during residency, the search for a fellowship spot, fellowship, and the job hunt. On the other hand, if you intend to do primarily research, then you're looking at being grant funded and basically you have through fellowship to land a grant; if you have the money, academic institutions will generally find you space to spend it in. Incidentally, I wouldn't have thought of 80% neuropathology research to be traditional.

Don't go into it -- or any pathology field -- if you're worried about job prospects. We can't predict that beyond today's and history's generalizations. Do go into it if you enjoy the field, because you'll be that much more likely to find a job you are satisfied with at the end.

 

[caffeinegirl]

If you check out pathologyoutlines.com/jobs you can find about 10 posted positions for neuropathologists. Yes, it's a small field, but it's also a field where everybody knows everybody and going to a program that is part of that network and doing well in your fellowship will help you get your desired position.

Reiterating the previous comment, if you love what you do (and you're good at it) then you'll be able to succeed.